Mumbai, March 3 -- The key equity benchmarks traded sideways in mid-morning trade, weighed down by several factors contributing to the market downturn, including foreign investor selling, global economic concerns, and a correction in small-cap and mid-cap stocks. PSU Bank shares extended losses for the six consecutive trading sessions.

At 14:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, shed 3.22 points, or 0.01%, to 73,187.40. The Nifty 50 index rose 23.85 points, or 0.11%, to 22,148.10.

The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index declined 0.12% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index tanked 1.31%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 1,074 shares rose and 2,952 shares fell. A total of 154 shares...